Your toilet is flushing money down the drain. Here's how to stop it.
Average savings from replacing a pre-1994 toilet with a WaterSense certified high-efficiency model for a family of four.
Source: EPA WaterSense Program
Let's get straight to the numbers. Toilets account for 24% of all indoor water use in the average American home. That's more than showers, more than faucets, more than your washing machine.
If your toilet was installed before 1994, you're using anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Modern high-efficiency toilets use just 1.28 gallons. That's a reduction of up to 82%.
The Math That Matters:
Over the 20+ year lifespan of a toilet, that's $2,720 in water bill savings. Plus many utilities offer $50-150 rebates, further reducing your payback period.
Understanding when your toilet was made tells you everything about how much money you're wasting:
| Era | Gallons Per Flush | Annual Water Use (20 flushes/day) | Annual Cost (at $5/1,000 gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1980 | 5-7 GPF | 36,500 - 51,100 gallons | $183 - $256 |
| 1980-1994 | 3.5 GPF | 25,550 gallons | $128 |
| 1994-2010 (Federal mandate) | 1.6 GPF | 11,680 gallons | $58 |
| 2010+ (WaterSense) | 1.28 GPF | 9,344 gallons | $47 |
Data based on EPA WaterSense calculations for average household
Look inside the tank for a date stamp. Most manufacturers stamp the date on the tank or bowl during production. If you can't find a date and your house was built before 1994, assume you have an old inefficient toilet.
WaterSense is the EPA's label for water-efficient products that meet strict performance and efficiency criteria. For toilets, this means:
Translation: WaterSense toilets actually work. This isn't the sad, weak-flushing "low-flow" experience from the 1990s. Modern technology solved those problems.
Important: Only buy toilets with the WaterSense label. It's the only certification that guarantees both water savings AND proper flushing performance. Generic "low-flow" toilets without WaterSense may save water but frustrate you with poor performance.
The standard for WaterSense certification. Uses the same amount of water every flush, whether you're disposing of liquid or solid waste.
Two buttons or a handle with two positions: light flush (0.8-1.0 GPF) for liquid waste, full flush (1.28-1.6 GPF) for solid waste.
Gravity-Fed (Most Common):
Uses water weight and gravity to create flushing pressure. Quieter, simpler, and less expensive to maintain.
Pressure-Assisted:
Uses compressed air to force water into bowl with extra power. Better for tough clogs and solid waste, but louder and more expensive.
Our Take: Most homes should stick with gravity-fed WaterSense toilets. They're quieter, cheaper, and performance is excellent. Only consider pressure-assisted if you have ongoing clog issues.
| Model | Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohler Highline | Single-flush, gravity | $250-350 | Best overall value - reliable, powerful flush, easy to find parts |
| Toto Drake | Single-flush, gravity | $300-450 | Best performance - legendary flushing power, rarely clogs |
| American Standard Cadet 3 | Single-flush, gravity | $200-300 | Budget pick - solid performance, widely available |
| Kohler Veil | Dual-flush, gravity | $350-500 | Maximum savings - dual-flush saves extra 20-30 gallons/day |
| Niagara Stealth | Single-flush (0.8 GPF!) | $300-400 | Ultra-efficiency - uses even less water while meeting WaterSense |
All models listed are EPA WaterSense certified and highly rated by Consumer Reports
Toilet replacement is easier than most people think, but it's also easy to screw up if you've never done it.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-4 hours for first-timers
Tools Needed: Adjustable wrench, hacksaw, level, putty knife, sponge
Cost Saved: $150-300 in labor
When to DIY:
Cost: $150-400 (varies by region)
Time: 1-2 hours
What's Included: Removal of old toilet, installation, haul-away, warranty on work
When to Hire a Pro:
Pro Tip: Buy the toilet yourself (often cheaper online), then hire a plumber just for installation. Many will install customer-supplied fixtures for $100-200.
If you're going the DIY route, avoid these common errors:
Let's run the full financial analysis for replacing a pre-1994 toilet:
Example: Family of 4, $5 per 1,000 gallons water rate
After the payback period, you're pocketing $135/year in water bill savings for the life of the toilet. That's real money.
Common question: "My toilet works fine, should I really replace it just to save water?"
Here's the decision tree:
Replace if:
Keep and maintain if:
For 1994-2010 toilets (1.6 GPF): These are already fairly efficient. Replacement might save you $20-40/year. Probably not worth it unless the toilet has other problems.
Before spending money on a new toilet, make sure your current one isn't silently leaking. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons per day ($365/year at $5 per 1,000 gallons).
Other leak signs:
Most toilet leaks are easy DIY fixes with parts from any hardware store. If you're replacing the toilet anyway, leaks are irrelevant.
Don't pay full price for your new toilet. Many utilities offer rebates:
How to find rebates in your area:
Some utilities even offer FREE toilet replacements for qualifying low-income households or homes with very old toilets.
Many rebates require pre-approval BEFORE you buy the toilet. Check requirements before purchasing. Some allow post-purchase applications within 90 days, others don't.
Here's a bonus most people don't consider: less water = less water heating.
Every time you flush a toilet, the water heater refills the tank with new water. Reducing flush volume means your water heater runs less often, saving electricity or gas.
This is a small benefit (maybe $5-15/year) but it adds up over the toilet's lifetime. Combined with reduced sewer charges (often tied to water usage), your total savings are even higher than water cost alone.
Before you buy, make sure you have these measurements and details:
See exactly how much you'd save based on your current toilet age and water rates.
Use Our Calculator →Ready to upgrade? Here's your action plan:
Still unsure? Start with the free leak test. If your toilet is leaking, fixing that alone could save $100-300/year with a $15 flapper kit.